Department ofMathematics

Math 15000: Mathematics for the Contemporary World

Bombarded by statistics, assailed by advertisers and advocates of all persuasions, the average person needs mathematics to make sense of the world. This course aims to give students the tools needed to critically examine the quantitative issues of our times. Students will learn the basics of logical reasoning, the use of graphs and algebra to create quantitative models, and the role of statistics and probability in analyzing data. We will apply these ideas to assess the quantitative claims raised in contemporary case studies commonly discussed in the media. 3 hr./wk; 3 cr.